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Shrimp are a class of small, shelled invertebrates that come in a variety of species and live in freshwater, salt water, and mixed habitats. The larger ones are also commonly referred to as "prawns" at seafood counters and fishmongers. They are high in protein, low in fat, and are a good source of iron. However, they also contain high amounts of cholesterol; just one 3-ounce serving of cooked shrimp may contain up to 55 percent of the daily value of cholesterol for someone on a 2,000-calorie diet.

Shrimp are delicious and are open to a variety of preparations. They can be fried, sautéed, boiled, baked, or grilled, and they are commonly found in pasta dishes, stir-fries, stews, soups, sandwiches, and all manner of other preparations. In short, they are a highly popular and greatly sought-after source of protein and are found in a variety of dishes in cuisines from around the world.

Now for the juicy stuff. Here are some useful tips to keep in mind when shopping for shrimp and cooking with shrimp.

When shopping for shrimp, it's common to see shrimp advertised with their respective sizes, such as "jumbo" or "colossal." Sometimes they are accompanied by a more precise explanation of the average number of shrimp per pound. But, if that's not the case, here's a rough guide from Barbara Ann Kipfer's kitchen reference book, The Culinarian, that might come in handy.

Miniature (Bay)

70 or more per pound

Small

51-60 per pound

Medium

43-50 per pound

Medium-Large

36-42 per pound

Large

31-35 per pound

Extra-Large

26-30 per pound

Jumbo

21-25 per pound

Extra-Jumbo

16-20 per pound

Colossal or Giant (aka "U15")

10-15 per pound

It's a rough guide because retailers will vary in how they classify shrimp, and whether the shrimp is sold shell-on, head-on, or completely peeled and deveined can affect the numerical rating enough to knock it into the next size class. So, the safest thing to do is to shop by the numerical rating.